Inorganic Reaction Chemistry of Nitrous Oxide

在无机化学、生物无机化学和有机金属化学项目中，希尔豪斯博士将继续他对一氧化二氮有机金属化学的研究。这项研究的具体目标包括开发合成金属氧络合物的新制备方法，开发用于有机分子氧化的选择性方法，以及探索一氧化二氮与金属络合物的结合。将对早期和晚期过渡金属系统进行研究。一氧化二氮是当之无愧的无反应气体；然而，从热力学上讲，它是一种非常有效的氧化剂，当用作氧化剂时，会使氮气成为环境友好的还原产物。尽管一氧化二氮的反应性通常很低，但它对环境构成了威胁。因此，对其反应性的基础研究有可能开发出一种没有有害副产物的氧化剂，并为应对环境威胁提供新的方法。

In this project in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organo- metallic Chemistry Program, Dr. Hillhouse will continue his studies on the organometallic chemistry of nitrous oxide. Specific objectives of the study include the development of new preparative methods for the synthesis of oxometal complexes, development of selective methods for oxidation of organic molecules, and exploration of the binding of nitrous oxide by metal complexes. Both early and late transition metal systems will be studied. %%% Nitrous oxide has a well deserved reputation as an unreactive gas; however, thermodynamically it is a very potent oxidant and when used as an oxidizing reagent would give dinitrogen as an environmentally benign reduction product. In spite of its usual low reactivity nitrous oxide is a threat to the environment. Therefore fundamental studies of its reactivity have the potential for development of an oxidant with no harmful by-products and to provide for new ways to deal with an environmental threat.